Tech D aims to stop Nebraska from playing keep-away


Last year against Nebraska, some of Texas Tech’s statistics looked like numbers from a game still in progress. The Red Raiders ran only 48 plays, compared to an average of 78 in their other games last season. They had only nine possessions in regulation, two or three fewer than most games.

Nebraska Missouri Football

Texas Tech's defense will have the task of containing Nebraska running back Roy Helu Jr. on Saturday in Lincoln. (AP)

Nebraska nearly ball-controlled Tech to death, taking the Raiders to overtime before losing 37-31. The Cornhuskers had the ball for more than 40 of 60 minutes in regulation.

“They do a good job of ball control. They do a good job throwing 90 game (short, quick passes). They do a good job with play-action pass,’’ Tech defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill said Tuesday.

They have the Red Raiders’ full attention because they did it all with clinical efficiency in last year’s game.

McNeill’s perception is the Cornhuskers decided after that October trip to Lubbock that they were on to something.

“They changed their whole offense before our game last year,’’ said McNeill, who said what Nebraska ran was nothing like what he had watched that week on videotape. “Totally different plays. Totally different passes.

Everything. Before our game, they were a certain way. In our game, they went to the ball control, and they’ve done it ever since. That’s what they do best.’’
Tech and No. 15 Nebraska meet for the first time since at 2:30 p.m. Saturday in Lincoln, Neb.

Nebraska left Lubbock 3-3 last year, but the Cornhuskers have won 10 of their 12 games since under second-year coach Bo Pelini.

In the 2008 game, Nebraska didn’t run for a ton of yards — 114 — but ran effectively enough to loosen up the Raiders for the play-action pass. They completed 37 of 45 for 357 yards — the most against Tech all season.

“They like to run the ball, and they like to bootleg,’’ Tech strong-side linebacker Bront Bird said. “That’s one thing they like to do is run a lot of stretch plays — get us used to those — and then fake a stretch and run a bootleg. They kept our offense off the field a lot.

“I think we’ve all improved as a defense and as individual players. We didn’t feel that we played as good as we could have last year. We’re excited about this challenge.’’

Not that any Tech defensive player can take the afternoon off, but the linebackers in particular will have plenty of responsibility. Roy Helu Jr., Nebraska’s 215-pound junior I-back, leads the Big 12 Conference in rushing, averaging 110 yards per game, and the Cornhuskers like to use tight end Mike McNeill to take advantage of teams underneath.

McNeill is the team’s second-leading receiver and is tied for the team high with three touchdown receptions.

“They try to pound you with the same thing over and over, get your linebackers running a lot and then hit you with some misdirection stuff,’’ Bird said. “Fake it and then bootleg to the tight end, who’s usually open on the back side. That’s just something we have to be prepared for.’’

Last Saturday, Tech got a little taste of what’s in store, though from a less-challenging opponent. The Red Raiders, in their 66-14 blowout of Kansas State, saw some similarities.

“There’s some nuances that are a little bit different from Nebraska,’’ Ruffin McNeill said, “but the overall concepts, some of them carry over from last week to this week. So in that way, it helps us a bunch.’’

Kansas State also likes to throw to the tight end, though Tech blunted that with pressure that produced four sacks.

Kansas State also had the conference’s leading rusher, but Tech held Daniel Thomas to 49 yards, which dropped him from first to third on the league rushing charts.

“We’ve had stretches where we’d play 10- or nine-man ball (in previous games),’’ McNeill said. “It was the first time defensively where we had really a string or stack of plays of 11-man football. Then as an entire team I thought we fed off of one another. That was really satisfying as a coaching to finally get that together as a team.’’

To comment on this story:
don.williams@lubbockonline.com l 766-8734
courtney.linehan@lubbockonline.com l 766-8735

Bookmark and Share

Comments

  • tbone0103 said:

    it’s ok Ruffin… hopefully our “bend dont break defense” doesn’t break!!! Nebraska and KSU are two completely different teams!!! It is psychologically wrong to say they are similar because you inherently want to relax knowing how they performed last week!! NEBRASKA has a completely different level of talent than KSU right now!! And we play in Nebraska…. We will have to perform better on defense to win this game!! Nebraska will be bigger, stronger, and not make the mistakes that KSU did… Most mistakes played right into our hands…. Get your game faces on boys and bring your a-game… Wreck’em

    Report this comment

  • Flash Lite said:

    This is THE BIGGEST GAME OF YR FOR NU to date and Peweenie can’t stand it that we’ve won three in a row! We got to have some turnovers and a pass rush. Gotta attack and not just react from our heels. Sticks and co. will stick it to ‘em!!

    Go Raiders!!!

    Report this comment

  • Lucius P. said:

    Good evening, Tech fans. Have some safe travels up to Lincoln if you decide to make the trip. Drink a few before the game. Suh is going to own whichever QB you guys decide to play. I watched our weekly show up here on the Huskers and they talked of the TT improved D this year… Only give up 21 per game. The fact of the matter is this: If you give up 21 to NU you will lose! GBR.

    Report this comment

  • TY-TTU said:

    fnal score…. in a close one…. TTU-31,,, NU 38

    Report this comment

  • merle said:

    there leading number of td catches is what??? 3. leong caught that many in a single game. the truth is i think tech will win this on. not only win – but win big. we have not been getting any love from the media despit those losses coming to texas houston. i think this is were tech cracks the top 25 and shows the nation tech is up and running!!! wreck em tech

    Report this comment

  • smiley said:

    I am intrigued by this offense. Multiple yes, but able to be defensed. As a horse player, I would bet Nebraska. Tech will have the bounce theory hovering over them. Yes, Nebraska did play an emotional game last week, (bounce) but they played it on Thursday. That extra two days eliminates them from the theory. Kind of like jet lag. Tech, on the other hand, had everything go right. Pure bounce next out. Kind of like watching a thoroughbred run 5 times with mediocre results and then wham……wins by 6. The bounce theory kicks in generally on next out and he throws out the anchor at the quarter pole.

    TT 21
    NU38

    Report this comment

  • husker_pete said:

    I hope we give you guys a good game. I usually make all the home games but won’t be there this week, so I won’t have a chance to visit with any Tech fans. Hope you all have fun safe travels in Lincoln, and enjoy the atmosphere!!

    Report this comment

  • BretTheGreat said:

    Ndamukong Suh should have a field day, Hopefully Lee will play football this week instead of playing scared

    Report this comment

  • Phat Tony said:

    I have a feeling this will be a good one. A much bigger test for Nebraska than last week at Mizzery. Mizzery was highly over rated. Tech is probably under rated. I can not believe the spread yesterday was 11 points. I think the Huskers will win, but it will probably be closer than that.

    BO BIG RED!

    Report this comment

  • kelley oneill said:

    I am very intrigued with the matchup between Nebraska Defense and the Tech offense. if Nebraska plays the game they want the score should be close to NU – 31 Tech – 17. Go Blackshirts!!

    Report this comment

  • TDOG said:

    Raider Fans…..Put any QB issue away, it will take a TEAM effort to defeat NU! Lincoln is a great college town, beating NU will take a huge effort from the Defense, as well as Offense and Kicking game and our COACH making good decisions . Make no mistake this is a make it or break it game for TTU this season, forget about the cheap shot from UT, don’t worry about A&M, we loose this game our season is on sketchy ground!

    Step it up Raiders, bring the A game and your long handles and we come home with a W.

    Report this comment

  • John S. said:

    The blackshirts will not give up more than 17 points. The Dbacks were fantastic on Thursday and with great line pressure up front, I predict several interceptions from the blackshirts.

    NU – 31
    TTU- 10

    Report this comment

  • Butch said:

    Come on up and have some fun before and after the game, Raider fans. We are looking forward to a good one…… TT always is going to put up points, our guys had better have their act together to slow you down. NU’s offense has a lot to prove – Suh and the D are playing well but haven’t faced anything like your attack thus far. Only TT can throw in some walk-on named “Sticks” and have him throw for 500….where do all of these guys come from? Good luck and may the best team win.

    Report this comment

  • lmchiere said:

    I think TTU will surprise Nebraska. I think Sheffield will play and will once again show why he is a great QB. Tech will win, the media will make excuses for Nebraska. The victory and great offense will be due to Leach’s system, and TTU will come home and get ready for A&M. TTU is able to play against any team in the US and win, if they play within themselves and play together. The guys know this, and they showed last week that they are aware that they have to play to their abilities on all sides of the ball. Good preparation and focus is all these guys need! WRECK’EM TECH! Raider Fans from NYC to San Fran. will be watching you on ABC this Saturday.

    Report this comment

  • joe shmo said:

    Gotta love Husker fans, they support a nationally relevant and prominent program and they don’t have to be arrogant jerks about it. OU and UT fans could learn a lot from Husker fans I think. This is why I also support Nebraska, well any other weekend but this one I mean. If Tech plays a complete game, keeping mistakes to a minimal, I think Tech can certainly win. Go Big Red (Raiders that is),

    Report this comment

  • pootypie said:

    Let’s see – the game is in NEBRASKA = so Nebraska wins.

    Tech can’t win outta town games…. period!

    Report this comment

  • David said:

    Any idiot knows Tech is a very dangerous team. If an opponent lets them play the way they want to play, that opponent is going to lose. Tech is just too good. Do they even punt on 4th down?

    What makes this opponent different is one of the best D lines in the country.
    The Tech QB will feel tremendous pressure all game long. This will create forced errors and mental errors. Don’t get me wrong. Tech can win this game against Nebraska.

    But I think the NU defense will check Tech’s fancy O.
    And I think NU’s offense wakes up in this game before a home town crowd that is really, REALLY warming to what this team could be this year. Don’t kid yourself. Nebraska may not be BACK yet. But they’ve got that Big Red Machine running….

    Report this comment

  • king of the... said:

    husker FAIL

    Report this comment

  • JRhusker said:

    I think this will be a good game I think Tech has a great offense and husker fans have seen the worst of it in the past. I hope our the offense comes out fired up with there A game, we can’t expect our D to keep us in every game they are good but that is asking a lot of your defense every week. Good luck Tech and if your coming up safe travels! GO BIG RED!

    Report this comment

  • raider 1011 said:

    brandon carter night on Oct 31 for the Kansas game everyone paint there face. should be a lot of fun.

    Report this comment

  • Metz said:

    Tech fans, hope you come up early and enjoy the great game day atmosphere! We look forward to an exciting game. I think this may be the game where the Cornhusker offense explodes. If the defense keeps it’s focus and slows down Tech’s offense at all, the Cornhuskers will walk away with a big win. Good luck TT.

    Report this comment

  • Watchdog113 said:

    Dr. Huck you arround? Good luck to your team this year (your ol’ friend), but I think for us it’ll be more of the same as (last week against KSU). Wreck’Em Tech!

    Report this comment

  • Tulsa_Husker said:

    I hope for a good game TT fans. The past 2 games have been so close. Im not sold on our (NU) offense just yet. Our defense has been playing stellar so far this year. Tech will always put up big numbers, but Im really interested to see if NU can break TT offensive line. For some reason, Nebraska over the last two games against the Red Raiders has started slow only to get great defensive pressure late… Hopefully, we can start off quicker and allow our defense to control the tempo of the game. TT has all the intangibles to win this one but I think NU pulls it out 31-24.

    I hope for another great game. Good Luck T Tech. and GOOOO BIGGGG REEEDDDD

    Report this comment

  • Eli said:

    Should be a good game. Tech always has a good offense but I think NU’s D is the best its been in a long time…Hopefully NU can get that running game going again. Should be fun…NU 31 Tech 14…GO BIG RED!

    Report this comment

  • Zack said:

    The matchup im more excited about than anything is going to be Suh going head to head with Brandon Carter on almost every down. Carter hasn’t given up a sack in almost 2 years but Suh is a freakin animal. I’m hoping tech can pull this one out after playing UT so good and the heartbreaking loss to Houston. Wreck em Tech!!

    Report this comment

  • Jeremy said:

    Suh. Stop him and Tech can win, otherwise no.

    Report this comment

  • Rick said:

    I think last week for Nebraska was a bit of an aberration. Nebraska is a much better overall team than Mizzou and the rain really neutralized the difference in overall talent prior to the 4th Quarter. Tech admittedly is a high powered offense but if Sheffield is really such a great QB, he would have started over Potts in the first place. Tech will score some points but I also expect Nebraska to force at least 2-3 TOs in this game resulting in 14+ points for Nebraska.

    Prediction:
    NU – 41
    TTU – 21

    Report this comment

  • Amazing said:

    Wow. Honestly, what a homer. He compares Nebraska to K st. after K st. lost to Lafayette and NU beat them by 55. Then you say things about Tyrod Taylor running around making plays to beat NU. The guy had -22 yards rushing in the game and literally had 2 of the luckiest plays of his career happen in order to win. The NU D has contained everyone thus far but for 2 plays and Tech lost to Houston and Texas. Houston is decent but nothing special and Texas is only rated as high as they are because of who they are and by logic and talent pool they should be that good. I love Brandon Carters optimism, but stopping Suh by himself is laughable. Suh is probably the best dlineman i’ve seen since Reggie White and that is saying a lot. Sure Carter may slow him down at times, but that is only about 1/3 of the battle. Consider Bo Pelinis defensive prowess. He bested TT last year when TT was just plain better. TT got lucky to win that. And I’m sure Bo will have a great gameplan for this one too. There is no logical reason to believe that TT will be able to drop 66 and 700 on a Pelini D when last years better team couldnt do it. In all reality this one is tough to predict. NUs offense has looked as bad as possible against better oppponents, but the D has looked almost 90s dominant most of the time. NU has gamebreakers in Suh and Helu, whereas TT still doesn’t have one true gamebreaker except for possibly Swindall. Batch is solid but not a gamebreaker. It should be a good game, but this guy shouldn’t be allowed to talk anymore if he thinks that TT is going for 66 points and 700 yards again this week against a real college football team … not the practicing kittens squad of Kst.

    Report this comment

  • EAST TECHSAN said:

    Lucius P. said:
    Good evening, Tech fans. Have some safe travels up to Lincoln if you decide to make the trip. Drink a few before the game. Suh is going to own whichever QB you guys decide to play. I watched our weekly show up here on the Huskers and they talked of the TT improved D this year… Only give up 21 per game. The fact of the matter is this: If you give up 21 to NU you will lose! GBR.

    Thats a pretty brave statement considering the fact that NU will be playing the number 1 ranked offense in NCAA football. I hope the NU defense has your outlook on things. Do you really think Suh and his defense can stop the Teck O from scoring more then 21 points. He may be a great player, but 1 defensive player does not a team make.

    Wreckem Texas Tech

    Report this comment

  • BigRedBlitz said:

    This is anybody’s ball game. Depends on which Zac Lee shows up; fortunately the home Zac has been a zillion times better than the road Zac. No D can stop NUs O when it’s on track, and NUs D is real. That being said, every good D has a let down and TT is the type of team that causes D letdowns. We’ve seen, but don’t like to remember, what happens if the beast gets out of the cage early. TT is the same every year, a high-flying machine with a wild-card coach. It’s style against substance. NU has the better team this year, but that only matters if everyone shows up and executes. NU relies on team over talent. Should be a good game.

    Report this comment

  • EAST TECHSAN said:

    Amazing said:
    Wow. Honestly, what a homer. He compares Nebraska to K st. after K st. lost to Lafayette and NU beat them by 55. Then you say things about Tyrod Taylor running around making plays to beat NU. The guy had -22 yards rushing in the game and literally had 2 of the luckiest plays of his career happen in order to win. The NU D has contained everyone thus far but for 2 plays and Tech lost to Houston and Texas. Houston is decent but nothing special and Texas is only rated as high as they are because of who they are and by logic and talent pool they should be that good. I love Brandon Carters optimism, but stopping Suh by himself is laughable. Suh is probably the best dlineman i’ve seen since Reggie White and that is saying a lot. Sure Carter may slow him down at times, but that is only about 1/3 of the battle. Consider Bo Pelinis defensive prowess. He bested TT last year when TT was just plain better. TT got lucky to win that. And I’m sure Bo will have a great gameplan for this one too. There is no logical reason to believe that TT will be able to drop 66 and 700 on a Pelini D when last years better team couldnt do it. In all reality this one is tough to predict. NUs offense has looked as bad as possible against better oppponents, but the D has looked almost 90s dominant most of the time. NU has gamebreakers in Suh and Helu, whereas TT still doesn’t have one true gamebreaker except for possibly Swindall. Batch is solid but not a gamebreaker. It should be a good game, but this guy shouldn’t be allowed to talk anymore if he thinks that TT is going for 66 points and 700 yards again this week against a real college football team … not the practicing kittens squad of Kst.

    (Report comment

    Amazing,

    Leach is playing a mind game, and you can not handle it. His plan is already working. He has done this before, and had great success. Dont under estimate the Captain, ARRRRR ARRRRR.

    Wreckem Texas Tech

    Report this comment

  • Vincenzo said:

    There is no way Neb wins this game by double digits. TTU is unlucky not to be 6-0. If Sticks starts TTU beats Neb.

    Report this comment

  • non tortilla chunker said:

    I love these short memory Tech fans …. 2 wins 21 losses against ranked teams on the road. The pirate mind games must not work outside Lubbock. Truely sad Tech turned in so many tickets excited to be taking some Tech fans to Lincoln with us from Fort Worth

    Report this comment

  • Amazing said:

    “Amazing,

    Leach is playing a mind game, and you can not handle it. His plan is already working. He has done this before, and had great success. Dont under estimate the Captain, ARRRRR ARRRRR.

    Wreckem Texas Tech ”

    This doesn’t have anything to do with Mr. Leach. I am commenting on the guy talking in the video on this page. There is no mind game. I would contest that either team has a legit chance, but until TT can beat someone of reasonable talent, I would pick NU D. Again, he compares K St. and NU … and anyone who has watched any Big 12 football this year knows that the difference is huge.

    Report this comment

  • J said:

    SUUUUUUUUUUHHHHHH! Hopefully I’ll be yelling that all afternoon on Saturday. Good luck Tech fans. You’re boys sure do play hard and fast. I’m hoping for a little retribution here but I expect a hard fought snot knocker. Skers 31-28.

    Report this comment

  • NanaRedraider said:

    Nebraska has the best fans, and they are cordial. Looking forward to the game.

    Report this comment

  • Pete said:

    Welcome to Lincoln Tech fans. Should be a great game. Don’t forget to bring the kids and enjoy all the pre and post game festivities! May I suggest a nice steak dinner at Misty’s restraunt before the long drive home. Hoping NU wins, should be close. 27-24 NU (late Henery FG to win the game).

    Report this comment

  • Lee said:

    I agree with several other comments…. the key match-up will be Suh on defense going against Brandon Carter on offense.

    Whoever wins the war in the trenches will win this game.

    I know Suh is a monster… but Brandon Carter isn’t one of those guys from Florida Atlantic or Arkansas State.

    These teams mirror each other in that they have won BIG against no name opponents… but have struggled against good teams from legitimate conferences. TECH wins this one…… 31 – 21

    GO RAIDERS!!!

    Report this comment

  • RickBlaine said:

    Wow, Cornholers, why play the game if you’ve already won? Do you honestly believe you could beat Florida, Alabama, LSU, Texas, or any other team that plays solid defense? If so, you guys need to stop smoking corn cobs. As far as Omaha being a great college town, that really makes it competitive with, well, no one.

    Report this comment

  • York1 said:

    Welcome Tech fans. My seats in Lincoln are in the Southwest endzone, so I get to talk to many visitors. Always enjoy it, and I hope you enjoy the game. Be sure to be in the stadium for the pregame events – they are a lot of fun.

    It should be a great game, and I predict a close Husker win.

    I am always amazed at how your coach can take quarterbacks other colleges overlook and turn them into such great offensive weapons.

    Report this comment

  • tmac said:

    Both teams have the talent to win this game. Its going to be a great match up between NU’s defense against TT’s offense. Aside from the obvious, turnovers, penaltlies, etc. I think the key will be how well NU’s offense does against TT’s defense. If Nebraska is able to move the changes and keep Techs high powered offense on the side line, the Huskers have a good chance to win. I think the Huskers defense is for real, but you can’t expect them to hold the Red Raiders offense in check, while you wait for the offense to pull their head out of their you know what, like the Missouri game. TT scores at least 21, (and if they don’t, start handed out the Blackshirts), so the NU offense better show up at the openning kick off!!

    Report this comment

  • tmac said:

    Just to set the record straight RickBlaine…The Huskers play in Lincoln, not Omaha! And any, “realistic”, Husker fan knows, although Nebraska is a much improved team under Bo Pelini, they can’t compete with Alabama, LSU, or Florida at this time. Texas on the other hand…..though talented, Nebraska could compete with.

    Report this comment

  • Stan said:

    RickBlaine,
    No disrespect, but what’s Omaha got to do with it?

    Report this comment

  • Doublenickel said:

    tmac,

    Nebraska could compete with, and beat, LSU. Have you seen their abysmal play at the quarterback position? NU’s defense would win that game for Nebraska. Florida or Alabama? I agree with you there, give Bo a year or two, he’ll have the Huskers back where they lived in the ’90s.

    Report this comment

  • Brent said:

    It’s good to see some friendly banter as opposed to all of the negativity on other message boards. I think NU will win a pretty close game. The Blackshirts will prevail! Good Luck Tech and enjoy your time in Lincoln.

    Go Big Red!

    Report this comment

  • Tim Gatzemeyer said:

    My name is”SUH”…How do you DO??????? This man the real deal Tech .

    Report this comment

  • jdhud said:

    As a Red Raider fan/alumni living in Virginia, I watch a lot of Va Tech games. They are a great team, particularly defense and special teams play, and getting better. Many of the comments are correct about Hokies lucky star. That star was out in beating the Huskers. Nebraska played a tough D and should have won the game. NU I believe is better defensively than Texas and Oklahoma meaning TTU offense is going to have its hands full…But TTU has a better offense than Va Tech and it is getting better and more synchronized. Key is TTU’s defense which I believe is better than last year….I am looking forward to a TTU win…they need to win on the road against a top 20 team to move into the top level. This will be a good game.

    Report this comment

  • Nate said:

    This guy is a, straight up, bad journalist. Tyrod Taylor “made plays with second opportunities”? Wrong. He had his worst game of the year, including that last drive that accounted for something like 45% of their total offense and 40% of their total points.

    NU and KSU the same? Wrong. NU’s defense is top 5 (in the nation) caliber, or at least that’s how they’ve looked thus far. ULL beat KSU and NU beat ULL 55-0. Laughable.

    NU’s offense was bad @ Mizzou? Sort of true. If you ignore the tropical storm over their head. As soon as the rain let up, NU scored 27 points in no time at all. Mizzou, meanwhile, had its 12 points off Special Teams snaffoo’s by NU… not something characteristic of the Huskers, though certainly a concern.

    TTU will probably lose this game, they’ll probably lose it by 14+. Ignore the 2-21 record (against ranked opponents) by Mike Leach led TTU football. Ignore the fact that TTU was a significantly better team, with more momentum, at home, last year and NU still took them to the razors edge. Ignore NU’s nearly flawless record in conference home openers.

    NU is simply the better team. I’m not being a homer in that statement, they are. That being said, TTU is dangerous, Potts or Sticks… TTU is capable of scoring in bunches. Will they? That’s why they play the games.

    Have a great time in Lincoln TTU fans, best of luck (though not too much). GBR!

    Report this comment

  • Dan at the Lake said:

    The huskers are vulnerable and their fans know it. Raiders 45, Neebraska 30.

    Report this comment

  • ricksxfile said:

    Tech will wished they would have saved some yards and points from the Kitties’ game last week, because they come up short this week. Anyone comparing ksu football to the Huskers Football must be alittle soft in the noggin.

    Report this comment

  • garyount said:

    should be a great game, glad its on tv, Tech can win, they have the talent now to do it they will have to keep Nebraskas offense off the field as much as possible and be able to run the ball, use Jeffers more and put in a few plays that Nebraskas not expecting and not make mistakes, should be one hell of a game, you people in Nebraska are refreshing to see.. on this post,,

    Report this comment

  • Doris Bradley said:

    Sticks will start and we will beat Nebraska Go Tech Guns Up Believe Red Raiders

    Report this comment

  • Matt said:

    Wow, Cornholers, why play the game if you’ve already won? Do you honestly believe you could beat Florida, Alabama, LSU, Texas, or any other team that plays solid defense? If so, you guys need to stop smoking corn cobs. As far as Omaha being a great college town, that really makes it competitive with, well, no one.

    Maybe you should get your facts straight before you start calling us “cornholers” RickBlaine. We play our games in LINCOLN. Any fan of the Big 12 knows this so that leads me to believe you don’t follow football so close. So at least get your facts straight before you start mouthing off to NU fans. I don’t even really see anyone saying we have the game won hands down. I do believe we are the better team but TT is all over the field when they play. They will really test our db’s in this one but if NU plays their game they will win, if we let Tech get settled in and throw the ball all over the field we are in for a long day. Good luck Tech, GBR.

    Report this comment

  • EAST TECHSAN said:

    First of all, I would like to give cudos to you NU fans. For the most part your posts on this board have been respectful, and well thoughout. That is a welcome change from the UT, and K-State fans we have had on here recently. I wish you the best this season, with the exception of the Tech game of course. I expect this game to be a hard fought close game. I believe that the game will ultimately be decided by the defense. With Shef at QB I feel that Tech’s Offense will be better able to handle the pressure of NU’s D Line as Shef has a good feel of when to roll out, and he has some legs. If Tech’s D can slow the NU Offense in the first half I believe that Tech has a very good chance to take the victory. NU has a great team, and are definitely on their way back up. NU has been my 2nd favorite NCAA football program since back before the inception of the Big12. This game will tell just how good both teams really are. This will be a great matchup.

    Wreckem Texas Tech

    Report this comment

  • Huge said:

    Nebraska’s vaunted D has seen only one decent offense and that was in a rainstorm with an injured QB. Wow u guys are world beaters. Tech is not the sunbelt conference. Our offense is light years ahead of Virginia tech. There is no way NU scores more than 24 pts in this game which make them beatable with an average Tech offensive output.

    Report this comment

  • TY-TTU said:

    I hope I am wrong…. Tech 27 NU 35

    Report this comment

  • myk-bee said:

    Nobody seems to understand…remember how everybody was all up in Sam Bradford’s jock last year? That’s Sheffield the rest of this season.

    Report this comment

  • HuskerTex said:

    For a VERY comprehensive breakdown of the game, check out the CBS Sports Cornhuskers Football Fanatics Board. Excellent analysis of BOTH teams.

    http://nebraska-cornhuskers-football.groups.cbssports.com/mcc/groups/post/8841868/17675614

    For those who are too lazy: Nebraska 38, Texas Tech 24.

    Report this comment

  • Butch said:

    Looking forward to a good one, getting the feeling many people here are not giving enough respect to TTU, which could mean trouble.

    I know the Guns Up crowd is giving a lot of props to this Sticks guy…….let’s just say he will venturing in to a whole new universe this weekend – playing at home against the WildKittens and playing on the road against Nebraska are two separate worlds.

    Let’s be honest, NU gave TTU all it wanted and them some last year – NU is better this year than last….. and the opposite is probably true for Tech.

    Tech will be a tough match in this one, but in the end NU’s D will be a little too much to handle and the game being in Lincoln is worth a touchdown. Sticks in his 2nd collegiate start is going be brought back down to planet Earth in this one.

    Hope to see a lot of Raider fans with the Guns Up – come on up and have a good time, and good luck.

    Report this comment

  • Pirate of the South Plains said:

    awaiting moderation?

    Report this comment

  • j-steed said:

    I have to admit I am very impressed with the NU fans on this board. Very polite, thank you for that. Now as far as the game goes I think Suh starts out with some early pressure and maybe even a sack or two, but once Mr. Carter figures him out he will be a non-factor for the rest of the game. Our offense goes to work and NU starts playin catchup….TTU 38 – NU 21

    Report this comment

  • EAST TECHSAN said:

    Final: Even as the most ardent Husker fan I cannot expect our defense to hold Texas Tech to onl 12 points. One of the most well oiled offensive machines in the nation is going to score, but I don’t think they score like people think they will. With a seeming quarterback controversy, a shoddy offensive line (watch the New Mexico game) and a worse than mediocre running game Nebraska should be able to handle the Red Raiders. Up front on both sides of the ball Nebraska has better match ups, and while losing Harrall and Crabtree were huge hits for this team so was the loss of two starting Defensive Ends. I see Nebraska getting back to the basics this week and hitting hard like they did against Missouri. Look for Gomes to get more playing time and for Zac Lee to be much more efficiant.

    Score: 38-24 Nebraska

    Husker Tex,

    This analysis contains one major flaw. There is a reference to a shoddy offensive line (Referring to the New Mexico game). Brandon Carter did not play in that game. The offensive line is a different animal when he is in there. Not just Brandons play, but also what his presence does for the other linemen. We will soon have all of our questions answered.

    Score: 38-28 Tech

    Wreckem Texas Tech

    Report this comment

  • tmac said:

    Husker Tex

    I agree, you cannot compare the TT that Nebraska is getting ready to play, & the TT at the beginning of the season. Everyone is healthy, & TT may have a better QB in Sheffield starting on Saturday as well (not taking anything away from Potts’ ability, but I read Sheffield is more mobile). Great match up between Carter & Suh….I’m hoping for a good game, we’ll see if Nebraska is for real. I’d like to think they are. NU 34-30

    Husker AZ

    Report this comment

Trackbacks

There are no trackbacks